A protest is planned this weekend to raise awareness of an oil pipeline that runs near Michigan's Mackinac Bridge.

Representatives of nearly a dozen organizations will gather in St. Ignace on Sunday to rally against the pipeline operated by Enbridge Energy, the Canadian company responsible for the 2010 oil spill in the Kalamazoo River.

The goal of the rally is to let people know there is a pipeline in the area and also what impact a potential spill could have on the area around the straits, said Beth Wallace of the National Wildlife Federation's Great Lakes Regional Center.

"It's is a disaster waiting to happen," said Wallace. "If any spill comparable to what happened in Marshall happens in the Upper Peninsula, it would most definitely make its way to one of the Great Lakes."

While environmental groups say the pipeline poses a risk to the area, Enbridge said the pipeline has been operating safely and is continuing to be monitored. The pipeline has been there since 1953.

Diluted bitumen was the kind of oil that spilled into the Kalamazoo River in 2010. It was the first spill of this kind of oil in a freshwater system and forced the EPA to find new ways to get to heavier parts of the oil that sank to the bottom of the river.

While the groups organizing the protest say the pipeline near the Mackinac Bridge is a danger, Enbridge spokesman Larry Springer said the pipeline has been tested and is operating safely. "This pipeline has been operating very safely and securely," Springer said.

He said the pipeline carries lighter crude oils and natural gas and has never carried the heavier oils or diluted bitumen.

"We have no plans to ship diluted bitumen in Line 5," Springer said. "In fact, the demand by refineries for the lighter products shipped in Line 5 – natural gas liquids, condensate, synthetic oil and light crude oils – is increasing, which is the reason the capacity on Line 5 was increased."

Following the 2010 spill in the Kalamazoo Riverl, the National Transportation Safety Board told Enbridge it had to make changes in how it handles pipeline safety and mitigates risk. "It made us reevaluate everything," said Springer.

Enbridge monitors the pipeline with inline tools and remotely operated vehicles. "The data from those inspections and from our maintenance program provide us with the confidence that Line 5 remains fit for service," Springer said.

However, Wallace said she doesn't think Enbridge has made the changes. She said the NWF has unsuccessfully asked for updated safety plans through the Freedom of Information Act.

"If they are updating the plans they are not sharing them with the public," Wallace said.

This summer, Enbridge continues work on replacing the 285 miles of pipeline on Line 6B -- which runs from Griffith, Ind. to Sarnia, Ontario. Wallace asked why Enbridge is replacing Line 6B and not Line 5, which is older and was installed in 1969.

"Line 6B is being replaced to increase capacity and reduce the need for future repairs and maintenance," said Springer, who added that Enbridge continues to inspect the pipeline and monitor it.

"The data from those inspections and from our maintenance program provide us with the confidence that Line 5 remains fit for service," he said.